What items sell best at silent auctions?
What items sell best at silent auctions?
Top 20 Best Selling Silent Auction Items
Auction Item Description | % Above Fair Market Value |
---|---|
Autographed music memorabilia | 720% |
Autographed sports memorabilia | 370% – 630% |
Popular home accessories | 480% |
Fine dining restaurant certificates | 330% – 460% |
What are some good auction items?
How can you be creative when it comes to procuring items for an auction?

Item | Popularity | Fundraising Potential |
---|---|---|
Holiday Dinner with a Chef | ✓✓✓ | $$$$ |
…See more! | ||
Personal Trainer | ✓✓✓ | $$$ |
Staycation Package | ✓✓✓✓ | $$$ |
How can I make an auction fun?
The following are some ways to keep your virtual silent auction fun and productive:
- Offer unique silent auction experiences and prizes.
- Incorporate entertainment.
- Offer dinner and a show.
- Host a hybrid event.
- Use visual tools to track progress.
- Offer instant items.
- Stay organized.
- Include some raffle items.
How do you organize a charity auction?
Planning a Charity Auction: A Beginner’s Guide

- Decide which type of auction to host.
- Set a budget and a goal.
- Recruit a team.
- Solicit auction items.
- Set a date and book a venue.
- Promote your auction.
- Set up and execute your auction.
- Thank contributors and track your performance.
How do you politely ask for donations?
When asking for donations in person, keep these tips in mind:
- Do research beforehand.
- Form a strong relationship before you make your ask.
- Meet them where they are.
- Practice your pitch.
- Communicate in a variety of ways.
- Be genuine, direct, and specific.
- Be prepared for rejections.
- Say thank you more than once.
How do I find auction items?
Steps for Procuring Auction Items
- Step 1: Review Donor Data.
- Step 2: Put Together a Procurement Team.
- Step 3: Solicit Auction Items.
- Step 4: Track Your Donations.
- Step 5: Print Out a Master List.
How do you price auction items?
Here’s 6 rules to keep in mind when pricing your items:
- Research the Known Price of Tangible Items.
- Consult with Supporters to Estimate the Value of Intangible Items.
- Set a Minimum Bid at 30-50% of an Auction’s FMV.
- Set a Higher Minimum Bid for Unique Auction Items.
- Start by Increasing Bids by 10% of the Item’s FMV.
How do I host a silent auction?
19 Steps To Running a Successful Silent Auction
- Assemble your team. Identify who will help you organize the silent auction.
- Make a plan.
- Find a venue.
- Source high-value items.
- Pre-promotion and publicity.
- Create item description sheets.
- Create bid sheets.
- Get silent auction software (optional)
How do you ask for donations at an auction?
Silent Auction Request Letter
- Introduce yourself and your group.
- Include event description, date, time, and place.
- Explain your need, i.e. why you are raising funds.
- Explain their benefit, i.e. what’s in it for them.
- Specifically “ask” for their help.
- Give a psychological justification using “because”
How many auction items should you have?
A rule of thumb is to offer 1 to 1.5 items per bidder. This is the amount of product that provides enough scarcity to drive up bidding. To determine how many bidders to expect, analyze your audience. Do couples make up the majority of your guests?
How many items should you have in a silent auction?
How many items should I assign to each silent auction section? Aim for 35 items per silent section, and try not to exceed 50. With more than 50 items, it becomes cumbersome for your guests to peruse the full contents of a section and remember what interests them.
How do I ask a donation vendor?
When soliciting vendors, your request should be personal, from a company representative to a vendor representative. You may choose to do it in person, via email or through a letter writing campaign to all vendors. The key is having the right person make the request!